• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2003

Surficial sediments from the northern coastal area of Jeju Island, southeastern Yellow Sea (South Sea of Korea) were analyzed for grain-size texture, some geochemical characteristics and clay mineralogy in order to assess their provenance. Rare-earth element compositions and some geochemical discrimination diagrams, especially of Ti/Al, Nb/Al and Rb/Al ratios, were revealed to be useful indices for identifying the origin of sediments. These indices, together with clay mineral compositions, suggest that the coarse-grained sediments originate from the volcanic rocks of Jeju Island, whereas the fine-grained sediments are derived from Chinese rivers, especially the Changjiang River. The oceanic circulation pattern and the physical-chemical properties of seawater in the Yellow and East China seal support the possibility that the fine-pained Changjiang (Yangtze River) sediments can reach the coastal area of Jeju Island (southeastern Yellow Sea).

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.425-432
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• 2021

A tidal power plant (TPP) has been in operation since the end of 2011 to improve the water quality of Shihwa Coastal Reservoir (SCR). Tidal mixing rate increased 5.6 times after the TPP operation so that in this study, its effects on water quality was assessed through statistical analysis of long-term water quality monitoring data. It was found that the increased tidal mixing contributed to solving the hypoxia problem in the bottom water by preventing the summer stratification. The analysis also showed that the increased tidal mixing had different effects depending on the relative concentration difference for each water quality substances between the SCR and the outside of SCR. The average concentrations of some substances (chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a) with higher concentrations than the outside of SCR decreased due to the dilution effect, but the other substances (total nitrogen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved inorganic phosphorus) with lower concentrations compared to the outside ones increased on the contrary. Factor analysis also showed a consistent result that the first factor accounting for the water quality was changed from the organic-related substances to the nutrient-related substances after the increased tidal mixing. These results imply that the focus of future water quality management needs shifting from the organic substances to the nutrients, particularly dissolved inorganic nutrients. Considering the effect of inflow seawater on the nutrients, the management area should be extended to cover not only SCR but also a certain area outside of SCR.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.626-633
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• 2023

Vibrio spp. are aquatic bacteria that are ubiquitous in warm estuarine and marine environments. Especially, V. vulnificus and V. cholerae are currently known to cause potentially fatal infections in humans. This study investigated the distribution and antibiotic resistance of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae isolated from coastal areas of Gyeongsangnam-do in 2022. A total of 252 samples of water, shellfish and coastal sediment were collected from 7 locations along the coast, and 124 samples of fishery products were collected from markets. Among the 252 samples, forty-four V. vulnificus (11.7%) and fourteen V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 (3.7%), none of which carried the ctx gene, were isolated. Out of the 124 samples, 6 (4.8%) tested positive for V. vulnificus and V. cholerae was not detected. The isolation rates of V. vulnificus and V. cholerae showed a significant correlation with environmental factors such as seawater temperature and salinity. In an antibiotic resistance test, V. vulnificus was susceptible to amikacin, gentamicin, imipenem trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin, but resistant to cefoxitin (100.0%), followed by tetracycline (9.1%). Multidrug resistance was also observed. Continuous monitoring of Vibrio pathogens with water temperature and salinity is expected to help reduce the outbreaks, and rational use of antibiotic agents is needed to prevent the accession of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.371-382
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• 2016

Saltwater intrusion in coastal regions can be detected by using numerous geochemical constituents in groundwater. However, insufficient numbers of groundwater data can often make us difficult to interpret saltwater intrusion. Probability statistics technique enables statistical prediction using a limited numbers of water quality data for a wider range and can make to effectively evaluate saltwater intrusion through a characterized distribution of probability. This study evaluated saltwater intrusion by applying probability statistics to the chemical constituents in groundwater, coastal discharge, and stream water in the coastal areas of Busan City. By the result of the study, it is proven that Na⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, SO₄²⁻, and Cl⁻, abundantly contained in seawater, are valuable indicators for evaluating saltwater intrusion. On the other hand, it is judged that Si⁴⁺, Fe²⁺, NO₃⁻, and PO₄³⁻, showing similar probability distribution in groundwater, coastal discharge, and stream water, are not appropriate indicators for the detection of saltwater intrusion.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.51-93
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• 2017

Eastern coastal lagoons are a particular type of estuarine systems where seawater mixes with fresh water from their catchments. With the development of aquatic vegetation, this area shows high level of biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to produce a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of coastal lagoons through studies of the floristics and plant species compositions in 17 eastern coastal lagoons in Korea. Vascular plants were collected 109 times, from June of 2010 to November of 2014. The results showed that there were 720 taxa in total, including 118 families, 378 genera, 655 species, 13 subspecies, 46 varieties, and 6 hybrids. Korean endemic species numbered 11 taxa, and vascular plants listed in the red list according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) numbered 18 taxa. Indicator species of fourth (IV) and fifth (V) degree, as specified by floristic subregions, numbered 23 taxa. Among the species investigated in this survey, there were 4 taxa of plants of southern origin and 8 taxa of plants of northern originin the Korean peninsula. Several rare plants, Thermopsis lupinoides, Ligusticum hultenii, Mitrasacme alsinoides, Utricularia australis, Juncus fauriei, Carex vesicaria, and Puccinellia kurilensis, were distributed in eastern coastal lagoons. In all, 96 alien plants were recorded in the investigated area. The coastal lagoons on the eastern coast of Korea showed high plant diversity with many rare plants and phytogeographically important plants. Conservation strategies to ensure biodiversity and effective management of coastal lagoons are discussed in detail.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.151-163
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• 2003

In this study, we investigated the physiochemical characteristics of temporal estuarine environment formed during the summer flood season (consecutive rainy days with average 50 mm day$^{-1}$ precipitation) in the coastal area of South Sea of Korea. The freshwater from the Seomjin River was characterized by lower temperature, salinity and pH, and high concentrations of COD and nutrients. In the summer flood season, such peculiar Somejin-River freshwater was dispersed southward along the coast of Yeosubando-Dolsando-Geumodo, form-ing temporal estuarine environment (defined as "Coastal Pseudo-Estuary" in this study) throughout the entire study area (as far as 60 km from the Seomjin River mouth). Compared to the winter dry season, the DIN/DIP ratio was almost doubled (16-36) during the summer flood season. This excessive nitrate supply during the summer flood season was probably due to nitrogenous fertilizer. Distribution and behaviors of physiochemical factors in this coastal pseudo-estuarine environment were controlled not only by the runoff of the Seomjun River (physical mixing of river water with seawater) but also by the biogeochemical estuarine processes which are mostly similar to those of the river estuary.r estuary.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Groundwater-surface water interaction was evaluated using water quality parameters (temperature and electrical conductivity), distributions of stable water isotopes (δ²H and δ ¹⁸O), and Rn-222 in lagoon water, groundwater, and seawater at three coastal lagoons (Songji (SJ), Youngrang (YR), and Sunpo (SP) Lagoon) in South Korea. From the results of composition and distributions of δ²H and δ¹⁸O, it was found that groundwater fraction of lagoon water in YR Lagoon (76%) was slightly higher than those of SJ (42%), and SP (63%) Lagoon. Based on Rn-222 mass balance model, groundwater discharge into SJ Lagoon in summer 2020 was estimated to be (3.2±1.1)×10³ m³ day^-1, which showed a similar or an order of magnitude higher than the results of previous studies conducted in coastal lagoons. This study can provide advanced techniques to evaluate groundwater-surface water interaction in coastal lagoons, wetlands, and lakes, and help to determine the effects of groundwater on coastal ecosystems.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.119-130
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• 2000

Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb in shells of Littorina brevicula, which lives ubiquitously in intertidal zone around the Korean coast, were analyzed to determine the relationship between metal levels in its shell, ambient seawater and its tissue. Periwinkles and seawater samples were collected from 38 sites along the Korean coast in January 1997. Mn contents in shells of this organism show the range of 7.0 ${\mu}g$/g-211 ${\mu}g$/g (mean 59 ${\mu}g$/g) and are the lowest in northern east coast but high in western south and west coast. Close relationship between Mn contents in shells and metal levels both in seawater and in tissues indicates that Mn in shell might be incorporated from ambient seawater by a biological process. Although the contents of Cd in shells did not reflect the distribution of total Cd in seawaters and they were very low compared to those in tissues, they followed spatial gradient of contents in tissues. However, the spatial distribution of Zn contents in shells accords neither ambient seawater nor tissues, while it is negatively correlated with the contents of Na in shells. This fact suggests that Zn contents might be controlled by salinity of ambient seawater. On the contrary, Zn contents in highly polluted sites near Onsan Bay show generally higher levels than other sites. The contents of Pb show the range of 0.1 ${\mu}g$/g-17.5 ${\mu}g$/g (mean 1.01 ${\mu}g$/g) and the highest in sites near Onsan Bay. Although the spatial distribution of shell Pb does not follow those of tissue, Pb in shells of Littorina brevicula may be controlled both by shell secretion process and by Pb levels in ambient seawater because the contents of Pb in the shell decrease steadily with growth and vary with levels of Pb in ambient seawater.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-69
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• 2001

The chemical, elemental and biochemical components of the suspended particulate matter (SPM) were investigated in order to quantify particulate organic matter (POM) and assess diet quality for suspension feeders in the southern coastal bay systems of Korea where the marine farming of the suspension feeders are most active, The intense field observation program was carried out seasonally in the three coastal bay systems of Chinhae, Gosung and Kangjin bays, The SPM was characterized as collective properties of organic carbon (POC), nitrogen (PON), phosphorus (PP) and more refined collective properties of protein (PPr), carbohydrate (PCHO) and chlorophyll a (Chl a) compound. Although the three coastal bays are regarded as phytoplankton based ecosystem, the SPM is not composed entirely with phytoplankton cells. Due to the shallow water depth, resuspension of bottom sediment contributes significantly to some of the regions. Therefore, concentration of SPM in the surface water did not co-vary with Chl a or PPr, PCHO. In general, temporal variation of POC, PON and Chl a contents in seawater were closely associated with phytoplankton biomass in the three coastal bays, However, PPr and PCHO contents in seawater were higher in Chinhae bay than in Gosung and Kangjin bays and Chl a PPr-N ratio was higher in Chinhae bay than in Kosung and Kangjin bays, since Chinhae bay is more eutrophicated than other bays. Average C : N ratios from regressions of POC and PON of SPM were 6.6, 6.6 and 5.0 in Chinhae, Gosung and Kangjin bays, respectively. SPM in Chinhae and Gosung bays appears to be made of largely phytoplankton cells and SPM in Kangjin bay appears to be contributed from the bacterial biomass due to the shallow water depth. N : P ratios from regressions of PON and PP of SPM were 10.8 and 14.7 in spring, and 18.2 and 24.6 in Chinhae and Gosung bays, respectively. With respect to the hypothetical Redfield molecule, phytoplankton appears to be limited by the lack of N and f in spring and summer, respectively, in the two bays, In Kangjin bay, N : P ratios from regressions of PON and PP of SPM were varied from 6.3 to 12.8 throughout the year. The low N : P ratio with resepct to the hypothetical Redfield molecule, phytoplankton growth appears to be limited by the lack of N-nutrients.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.85-95
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• 1996

To examine the contamination in Ulsan coastal area, some heavy metal concentrations in sea water and Mytilus coruscus have been measured. Sea water samples were collected on April 6 in 1995 and Mytilus coruscus samples were collected on April 2 in 1995. Total number of sea water samples was 26 and that of Mytilus coruscus was 54. The sites where the samples collected were same in sea water and Mytilus coruscus. The method of analysis was atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the heavy metal concentrations of sea water were varied according to the sampling stations. The concentrations of cadmium, manganese, zinc in sea water collected in the coastal area near Mipo complex were higher than those of other coastal areas, and the concentrations of lead in sea water collected in the coastal area near petrochemical complex were higher than those of others. In general the concentrations of lead, zinc, copper in sea water were proportionate to those in Mytilus coruscus. The mean concentration rates of lead, cadmium, manganese in Mytilus coruscus inhabiting in Ulsan coastal area were similar, 1070, 1370 and 1300, respectively. The concentration rate of mercury was 80, the lowest value of other heavy metals, and that of copper was 6940, the highest value. Consequently it seems to be more desirable to use Mytilus coruscus as a sample to examine the contamination of coastal area than sea water.